Mop.



PATBNTED MAY 14, 1907.

G. H. AKRIDGE.

MOP. APPLICATION mum Ema. 1900.

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UNITED STATES GEORGE n. AKRIDGE,

OE PELHAM, GEORGIA.

MOP.

To all whom it may concern:

' AKRIDGE, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Pelham, in the county of Mitchell and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device which is especially designed for the cleaning of floors or similar surfaces, and more particularly to a novel form of mop.

The invention comprises essentially a carriage mounted upon rollers and provided with a plurality of removable cleaning tufts, the carriage being so mounted as to be gradually lowered as the ends of the tufts become worn.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in Which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved form of mop. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view. Fig. 4 is an end view. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the end pieces.

Correspondingand like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The carriage 1 to which the tufts are secured comprlses essentially a base plate 2 and end pieces 3. The end pieces are secured to the upper side of the base plate 2 and have their lower edges curved upwardly and since the base plate is secured to the end pieces the same has a corresponding curve throughout its length. This curve allows the carriage to have a limited rotary movement as the handle is moved up and down in the hands of the operator. An axle 4 extends longitudinally across the base plate 2 and has its ends reduced and passed through openings in blocks 5. These blocks 5 are slidably mounted in slots 6 which extend upwardly from the lower edges of the end pieces 3. For this purpose, it will be observed that the sides of the slots 6 are formed with grooves 7 for the reception of tongues 8 upon the blocks 5. Stems 9 are connected to the blocks 5 and project upwardly through openings in the end pieces 3, the said stems being threaded so as to cooperate with the thumb Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 2, 1906. Serial No. 299,201.

Patented May 14, 1907.

nuts 10. These thumb nuts 10 are provided with a reduced portion 11 which Operates in a a corresponding portion of the opening in the end pieces 3. It will thus be apparent that the thumb nuts are held in a f xed position and that by turning them, the stems 9 and blocks 5 can be moved up and down so as to adjust the position of the carriage with relation to the axle.

In order to facilitate the assembling of the parts, it will be observed that a transverse opening 12 is formed in the'upper portion of the end pieces 3 through which the reduced portion of the thumb nuts 10 can be passed in order to bring it in alinement with the opening which receives the stem 9. The wheels 13 which are mounted upon the ends of axle 4 are of such a size as to give the carriage the desired amount of vertical adjustment.

The base plate 2 is provided with a series of openings 4 through which the cleaning tufts 15 are passed, the upper portions of the tufts fitting securely within tubes 16 which project upwardly from the base plate and are arranged with the passages therethrough in registry with. the Openings 14. As the ends of these cleaning tufts become worn, it will be apparent that the carriage 1 can be lowered by turning the thumb nuts 10, and in this manner the full length of the tufts is utilized and the efiiciency of the device is not decreased by the shortening of the tufts in the construction of the mop. The tufts 15 are spaced from the wheels 13 so that there will be no danger of the husks coming under the wheels and interfering with the movement of the carriage. A reinforcing beam 17 is employed to connect the end pieces 3, and is preferably located adjacent to the axle 4 as is shown in the drawings. This beam 17 serves to prevent the sagging or warping of the base plate 2, and also serves as a means for attaching the handle 18. The handle 18 projects upwardly at such an angle as to permit the carriage 1 to assume an approximately horizontal position during the operation of the device. A second series of smaller openings 19 are formed in the base plate 2 between the cleaning tufts 15 and these openings form passages through which water may be turned so as to fall upon the surface which is being cleaned.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a device of the character described,

' cleaning tufts the combination of a carriage comprising a perforated base, end pieces secured. to the base and a reinforcing beam connecting the end pieces, a series of tubes projecting from the base and in alinement with the perforations therein and cleaning tufts inserted in the tubes.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base plate, end pieces secured to the base plate, blocks adjustably mounted upon the end pieces, an axle ournaled in the blocks, wheels mounted upon the axle, cleaning tufts secured to the base plate, and means for adjusting the blocks to raise and lower the base plate to take up the wear in the cleaning tufts.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base plate, end pieces secured to the plate, said end pieces being provided with transverse slots, blocks slid ably mounted in the slots, an axle secured to the blocks, wheels mounted upon the axle, secured to the base plate, and means for adjusting the blocks so as to raise and lower the base plate to take up the wear in the cleaning tufts.

4. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a base plate, end pieces secured to the base plate and provided with transverse slots, blocks slidably mounted in the slots, stems secured to the blocks and passing through the end pieces, thumb nuts having an interlocking connection with the end pieces and cooperating with the stems to raise and, lower the blocks, an axle secured to the blocks, wheels mounted. upon the axle, and cleaning tufts secured to the base plate.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base plate, end pieces secured to the base plate and formed with transverse slots, the ends of the slots being formed with grooves, blocks slid abl y mounted in the slots and provided with tongues which operate in the grooves, stems connected with the blocks and passing thrmigh the end pieces, thumb nuts having an interlocking connection with the end pieces and cooperating wi tb. the stems to raise and lower the blocks, an axle secured to the blocks, wheels mounted upon the axle, and cleaning tufts secured to the base plate.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE II. AKRIDGE. 

